He was earlier the deputy FDA commissioner under the George W Bush administration.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate has voted to confirm the appointment of Dr. Scott Gottlieb, a venture capitalist and a conservative health policy expert, as commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

During the George W Bush administration, Gottlieb, a physician, was appointed as a deputy FDA commissioner. He is seen as being knowledgeable and competent.

Critics however have pointed his ties to the pharmaceutical industry.

Gottlieb has agreed to divest his holdings in about two-dozen healthcare stocks.